eDNA monitoring of Coral Transplantation Restoration in Moorea, French Polynesia
Year: 2025
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: The Coral Gardeners are an organization based in Moorea, French Polynesia whose goal is to revive the coral reefs within the local lagoon. Members of their organization grow coral fragments in nurseries and then transplant them onto disturbed reefs. This research uses environmental DNA sequencing to determine how the Coral Gardeners’ restoration projects may impact the overall biodiversity of the reefs in Moorea. Together we collected water samples from the coral nurseries, restoration sites, and nearby unrestored sites during the transplantation events and then one year later. We used eDNA metabarcoding techniques to target the COI and MiFish genes in order to uncover the vertebrate and invertebrate diversity within the samples. Our data tracks the species richness and ecosystem composition at our sites at the onset of the restoration efforts and one year afterward. This research provides valuable data leveraging eDNA to improve the management and conservation of coral reefs in collaboration with local conservation organizations.
DOI: 10.5194/oos2025-1482
Authors: Elijah Catalan, Ihirao Piton, Paul Barber
Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4408817321